Cretheus, or Cret, is a powerful Ventrue Methuselah. He is an accomplished Blood Magician, a member of the Council of Twelve, and leader of the Inconnu.
Biography[]
Roman times[]
Born in Corinth, Cretheus toured the ancient world in search of knowledge for nine years. When he participated in a competition of intellectuals, he won and earned the Embrace from Mithras, who made him his vizier. He served his sire for the following 600 years, learning the Assamite blood magic known as Dur-An-Ki, while also stayed abreast of Greek philosophy and adapted its ideas to magical use as well. Later, he served as his sire's contact to the Eternal Senate while Mithras took up residence in Londinium and hid Camilla's torpid body at his sire's command.
This vampire was vital for the development of Mithraism, inventing many of the mysteries of the cult and was assigned to supervise the cult during Mithras' periods of torpor. Cretheus, however, failed, as during one of his supervision periods the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Cretheus interest in his sire's cult faded as he begun to research ways to conquer the Beast within and met with Saulot, who told him of Golconda. Nevertheless, he maintained a dislike of Christianity as a pet peeve, supporting actions against the Church.
Dark Ages[]
Cretheus became one of Saulot's most dedicated disciples, forsaking his sire in exchange for salvation. After his master was destroyed by Tremere, Cretheus dedicated himself to preserving the legacy of his teacher, meeting with Mokur and helped to found the Inconnu.
Cretheus was Rome's de facto ruler for nearly 300 years. He tolerated various self-styled "Princes" but made it clear that any such government was subservient to Rome's peculiar traditions. Cretheus was the only public member of the body that became the Inconnu. In 1229 CE, he caused the earthquake that reawakened his clanmate Camilla and killed the then current Prince of Rome, Constantius, doing so with the goal of re-enacting the creation of the Baali by making a wellspring of vice from which some would crawl back and might find Golconda. He bent the knee to Camilla and overturned expectations, seen to represent the Inconnu's approval.
Modern era[]
Cretheus became an indifferent Seneschal, considering it a distraction from his mystical studies. His devotion to his absent sire Mithras resembles worship and indeed, he attempted to both popularize Mithraism and bend it to the service of his master. His efforts failed, and the presence of the victorious Catholic Church was one of the few things that visibly irritated him.
He was ready to enter the Baali Pact after Mokur's destruction by the hands of Etrius, in exchange for absolute knowledge. Since then, he has tried (without much success) to avoid the intrigues of Hunedoara Castle, dedicating himself on writing down the analects of both Saulot and Mokur to preserve the legacy of the Salubri.
Furthermore, he spends most of his time hunting methuselahs and other agents of the Antediluvians. Cretheus also firmly believes in his own infallibility and power and has dedicated himself fully to the study of Blood Magic to eventually ascend and face God himself. He can only feed from highly intelligent people.
Description[]
Cretheus is a slim man who appears to be in his 20s, with pale skin and long black hair.
Character Sheet[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- WOD: A World of Darkness, p. 61
- VTM: Lair of the Hidden, p. 83-86
- V20DA: V20 Dark Ages Companion, p. 9-10, 12, 14-17